Spring cover



I I l l l l l 'T' i l 1 I l I 1 1 1T "If I /:ra i i I x T INVENTOR. HYLOR. 6W ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllllllll ll S. TAYLOR SPRING COVER I Filed Oct. 15,1954

SAMUEL Aug. 27, 1935.

Aug. 27, 1935. s, TAYLOR 2,012,931

SPRING COVER Filed Oct. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. SAMUEL ZWLOR.

Patented Aug. 27, 1935 rem" oFFIcE SPRING oovEn Samuel Taylor, Chicago, 11., assignor of one-half V to Eleanor Tevander Taylor, Chicago, Ill

Application October 15, 1934,Serial No. 748,287

17 Claims. (Cl. 26737).

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in metal spring covers for vehicle springs of a type adapted to closely embrace the springand extend longitudinally thereof; and is more particularly directed to the special com bination of a plurality of-sections which can be readily applied to the spring, or removed therefrom without the destruction of the'cover, and thoroughly protect the. spring against the 'ac-. 10 cumulationof foreign matter. V

Thus,'an object of my invention is the provision of a flexible metal cover which shall be simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and consisting of a series of sections flexibly secured together at their medial portions, and with the sections assembled together in this manner the entire cover may be readily applied upon the spring as a single unit and locked thereon by suitable locking means and as readily removed. Another object of my invention is the provision of a spring cover consisting of a plurality of sections, the side and bottom portions arranged to provide overlapping engagement with each other, the bottom portions, or flange portions, of each section folded to lie in the same plane with their longitudinal free edges in substantial abutment and having reinforcing plate members with locking projections fabricated to said free edges, and locking plates overlying and locking said free edges in position to secure the cover upon the spring. ,7 1 g 7 With theabove and other objects'in View which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, com

bination, and arrangements of tially as hereinafter described and more particu-' larly defined by the appended claims,' it being understood that such changes in the precise em-. bodiment of the herein disclosed invention may 40 be made as come within the scope of the claims."

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of myinvention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in Which:-

Figure I is a fragmentary side view of a (3011-, ventional semi-elliptic spring equipped with a spring cover constructed in accordance with this invention; g Figure II is a fragmentary top plan viewofa spring equipped with the cover constructed in accordance with this invention; V Figure III is a fragmentary bottom plan View parts substana of a spring equipped with the cover'constructed in accordance with this'inven'tion; Figure IV is a fragmentary,enlarged sectional view taken longitudinally through the shackle end portion of a, spring equipped with the cover constructed in' accordance with this invention, on the plane of the line IVIV, of Figure II;

Figure V isja fragmentary, enlarged sectional view illustrating a modification of the construction shown in Figure IV; I I q 10 Figure VI is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view taken longitudinallylthrougha spring with the cover embodying this invention applied thereon, showing the position of one of the flexible joint securing'members on the top, andone of the 15 removable locking members .on the bottom, prior to the final assembledposition; Q

Figure VII is an enlarged transverse sectional view of'a spring and the cover embodying this invention, taken through Figure II on the plane of the line. VII--VII;

Figure VIII is an enlarged, fragmentary'side view illustrating'the flexible joint portionf'of the cover embodying this invention; a

Figure IXis a plan view'of a metallic blank 25 used to form a securing clip to be applied upon the medialportions of the adjacent spring coversections embodying this invention; g y Figure X is a fragmentary perspective View of a laminated spring equipped with one of the'spring cover sections constructed in accordance with this invention illustrating the reinforcing members and locking members located on the bottom of the spring cover section;

Figure XI is a fragmentary perspective view of a flange portionof one of the spring cover sections embodying this invention and illustrating how the locking projections-are formed out of the reinforcing members;

Figure XII is afragmentary perspective View of the locking plate with a wedge shaped apere ture and locking'means constructed inaccordance with this invention, and illustrating the posi v tion of the locking member prior to its application to a spring cover unit;

Figure XIII is'a 'plan view of the blank for 4 forming the end section of the spring coverem bodying this inventiomsaid section to be assembled adjacent that end of spring forming the shackleeye; I V H 50 Figure XIV is a plan of a blankfor forming the intermediate spring cover sections, also the' rear end sections which are later-trimmed to desired length; Figure XV is a sectional View through any one 55 of the cover sections prior to assembly upon the spring, showing the desired formation of the secare secured together by the bolt [5 and nut 56.

The arrangement and assembly of the spring cover parts incorporating this invention are so arranged such as to enclose the portion of the spring, between the thicker portion where it is secured to an axle or frame member of the vehicle and the small end or shackle eye end of the spring, with a wrapper of weatherproof fibrous material and a single thickness of the metal; as near as possible, to provide a dirt-proof metallic cover with overlapping. side portions, jointed top portions andlocke'dbottom flange portions, thus allowing the flexing of the spring with least re-' sistance. v a p In. the illustrative embodimentof the invention, I provide a seriesof sections or units, ll, I8, I9, .and El, each embraclngfour sides of the spring previously wrapped with the fibrous wrapper 22. j

.The end section :11, shown in Figures I, '11 and III, is, formed of a single blank of thin metal, as shown in Figure XIII, having'a top portion 25 extending. along the upper side and adjacent the shackle endfofthe spring l0, side portions 26 ex- .tend'in'g'alongand embracing the edges of the spring leaves H, .and i4, and with flanges 27 formed to liealong' the bottom side of the spring,

said flanges lying. in the same plane with each other and having their longitudinal free edges in substantial abutment/said flangeshaving reinforcing members 28, welded or otherwise secured to th e same along their free edges. The reinforcing members 28-, each projections or looking lugs 29, punched from their free edgeportions and formed to extend outwardly and above the free edge of the flange 21; When the flanges 2'! are substantial abutment, the reinforcing members 28 and locking members 29 are also insubstantial abutment. Cooperating withthe projections 29, is a locking plate 3%! having a plurality of apertures 3! anda plurality of locking tabs 32; a fragmentary portion of a plate being shown in Figure XII. As a method of sealing theshackle eye end of section II, the

' extreme medial portion ll adjacent said shackle eye is'formed downwardly and inwardly away from said shackle eye to be in frictional contact with the upper portion of' leaf II', the bottom portions of flanges 2'! extending outwardly so that the end portions of same come into frictional contact with lower portions of spring eye l2, as clearly illustrated Figure IV.

A slightly modified form of this desired seal is shown in Figure V, where the shackle eye ends of fiangesl'l are rolled or spiralled inwardly away fromshackle eye end'of spring with their free edges in substantial abutment forming seal 13. r

The spring'cover sections It, IS, 2e and 2| 7 shown in Figures I, II, and III, are similarly constructed as described above regarding section 11; having top portions 3 5 ,-side portions 36, hotetom flanges 31, reinforcing members 28, looking projections zil, locking plates 30, and locking tabs having a plurality of 32. Said sections are so arranged as to be in overlapping relation, the side and bottom members36 and El, of section 18, projecting over the adjacent overlapping portions 26 and 2?, of section ll, the side and bottom members 36 and 31, of section l9, projecting over the adjacent overlapping portions 36 and 31, of section it, and similarly with sections 28 and 2!.

The above cover sections in assembled position arehingedly or flexibly secured together only at their medial portions 40",so as to accommodate the flexure of the spring H]. The medial connecting portions Ml are formed as flanges to extend outwardly from the top plane of the cover, the two adjacent flanges of the adjacent units or sections forming a V. These flanges 40 are adapted to receive a metal clip or seam cover 4| formed with two converging side members 42; said clip M to beer" the same gage material, or heavier gage material than the cover if desired. After the separate cover sections have been placed into position for assembly, the seam cover 4| is forced over the flanges 40 of the sections, and a suitable tool is brought into contact with the top portion of scam cover 4| compressing, or partially flattening the medial connecting flange portionsl lil and side. members 42 of the seam cover, so as to complete the interlock and form the flexible joint and securing means between the units or cover sections. The seam covers All are further provided with end flanges 43, shown in Figures VIII, and IX, extending downwardly to hold said covers in place and prevent clips 4! g securing means M, the entire cover appears to be substantially a single unit 44, and ready for assembly upon the vehicle spring l8, referred to above. It is preferable to assemble the entire cover as a unit byforming the sectionsinto substantially the shape illustrated by the sectional view XV, so that the sections may be easily sprung over the spring and-ready for securing same upon said spring.

, Before placing the spring cover on the spring IE, it is preferable to cover the spring with a lubricant such as graphited grease and then wrap the same with a cover of s litable fibrous material such as canvas or burlap 22, whereby after the spring cover has been placed in. position and secured upon the sprin the lubricant is retained within the wrapping and thespring leaves are 1 kept incondition for perfect performance.

, The spring cover 44 may be secured to the spring, l0, and held,againstlongitudinal move- ;ment byjany suitable locking means; however,

I have shown, for example, a locking plate 33, of steel or. other metal, with two wedge shaped apertures 3l for each individual section of the cover. After the cover is placed upon'the spring, the bottom flanges of the individual cover sections are pressed'intoabutment, the locking projections 29 on each reinforcing member likewise are in abutment and ready to be secured together. This arrangement allows the locking plate so to be placed upon said reinforcing members with projections '29 extending through the wedge shaped apertures 3!, after which by longitudiit should become necessary to remove said coverv 34, such as repairing the spring l9, it is apparent that one need but insert a suitable tool beneath the substantially horizontal portion 59; of looking member 32,1 raise the same'out of locking I engagement, and reverse the above described procedure. I Y

, From the foregoing you will seethat I have shown and described the spring cover constructed'with the flexible joints arranged along the top of the cover and with the locking plate along the bottom of the cover. If it were preferable to place the cover in an inverted position with the hinge joints along the bottom, and the looking means along the top of'the spring, where access to'the bottom of the spring is difficult, only a slight modification of the blanks shown in Figures XIII and XIV, is required, thus leaving the novel invention adaptable for either installation.

It will be further noted from the foregoing that I have provided a very simple and economical vehicle metal spring cover, adapted to permit the spring'to be first wrapped with the usual lubricant retaining fabric, said cover to be applied and removed from the spring as often as desired and obviate the necessity ofremoving the spring, from the vehicle or destroying any, part of the spring cover assembly, requiring'no loading machine to flatten the spring, and very little labor or time, which is the usual drawback of the various metal spring covers commercially use at thepresent time. I

In order to incorporate the above advantages, simplicity, flexibility, strength, economy and othi ers, I have provided a spring cover formed of a plurality of relatively movable sections, said" body portions of the cover preferablyconstructed from very thin, durable, flexible metal, said metal substantially too thin to permit the locking members to be constructed therefrom; however, I have provided the desired reinforcing members along the longitudinal abutting edges of the cover sections, and from these reinforcing members I have punched or formed the locking projections which are locked together by suitable means, such as shown and described herein, by a novel removable locking plate. Said flexible metal spring cover completely encloses the spring on four sides against moisture and dirt. .7

What I claim as my invention is: V

1. In a vehicle spring cover, the combination of a plurality of relatively movable sections, each section having a plurality of flanges in overlapping relation with flanges .of adjacent sections, connecting means, engaging transversely extending flanges formed on the medial portions of adjacent sections, each section provided with reinforcedlongitudinal flanges and means carried thereby to lock each section of the cover on the spring.

,2. In a vehicle spring cover, the combinationof an inner lubricant impervious lining surrounding the spring laminations, and an outer metallic casing comprising a plurality of substantially over-lapping movable sections, connection means engaging the; medial portions of adjacent sections, each section provided with reinforced longitudinal flanges in substantial abutment, locking lugs extending outwardly therefrom, and means carried thereby to'lock each section of the cover on the spring. I c

' 3. In a spring cover of the character described, the combination of a plurality of individual sections surrounding four sides of a springseparate connecting means for engaging transversely extending flangesformed on the medialportions of adjacent sections, each section provided with reinforced longitudinal inwardly cooperate with a locking plate to secure each'section of the cover to the spring.

' 4. In a spring cover of the character described, the combination of a plurality of individually connected movable "sections, jhaving longitudinal inwardly extending flanges, reinforcing members permanently secured to thelcngitudinal free edge portions of the. inwardly extending flanges of each section, said reinforcing members provided with non-yielding lugs for association with locking plates provided with apertures and locking means to secure each section of the cover-on the spring.

5. In a spring cover for laminatedsprings, the combination of a plurality of separate relatively. movable sectionaadjacent end portions of each section providedat its medial end portions with transversely extending flanges adapted for engaging with transverse clamping clips having converging side members, each section further provided with reinforced longitudinal flanges with looking lugs thereon adapted to engagea single locking plate having apertures to receive said lugs, and locking means on said plate to secure' each section rigidly upon the spring. 7

6. In a spring cover of the character described a plurality of separate, relatively movable sections hingedly connected together only at their medial end top portions, each section having longitudinal reinforced inwardly extending flanges with looking lugs thereon, the entire cover adapted to snugly fit the top, sides; and bottom por-v tions of a laminated spring when each section is separatelysecured on the spring by locking means associated with said locking lugs formed from the flange reinforcing means, the reinforced inwardly extending flanges of each section lying in abutment. in the same plane;

7.- A cover for laminated vehicle springs comprising a plurality of separate metallic sections, having reinforced longitudinal free edges and adapted to snugly fit the top, sides and bottom portions of a spring, said cover provided with transversely flexible connections securing the medial portions of adjacent sections. together,

1 each section having side and bottom portions adjacent said flexible connections overlapping sin1ilar adjacent portions, and means for securing together the reinforcedlongitudinal free edges of each section whereby each section is separately; secured to the spring.

8. A cover for, laminated vehicle springs comprising a plurality of metallic sections havingjre inforced longitudinal freeedges and adapted to extending flanges, and means formedintegral therewith to tions. of the top 'portio ns of adjacent sections together, having side and bottom portions adjacent said fiexibleconnectionsoverlapping similar adjacent portions, locking lugs struck from the reinforcing member and means for securing the,

longitudinal free edges of each section'together in substantial abutment whereby each section is separately secured to the spring with adjacent sections hingedly connected together to form a substantially fiexible cover. 7

9. A coverfor laminated vehicle springs comprising a plurality of metallic sections, having longitudinal free edges adapted to snugly fit the top, sides, and bottom portions of a spring, saidcover provided with transversely flexibleconnec tions, having depending side members andidepending end members to secure and lock the I medial portions of adjacent sections together, eachv section having sides and bottom portions adjacent said flexible connections overlapping similar adjacent portions," rigid lugs struck from reinforcing members secured to the longitudinal free edges of each section, and means for securing the longitudinal free edges'of each section-together in substantial abutment along the bottom of the spring.

10. A removable spring cover for laminated vehicle springs comprising a plurality. of metallic sections having longitudinal free edges adapted to snugly fit the top; Sides and bottom portions of a spring, provided with transversely flexible hin e connections with deoeridin lockin means g i g g securing the medial portions of adjacent sections hingedly togethensaid sections-having side and bottom portions adjacent said flexible connections overlapping similar adjacent portions, the longitudinal free'edges of each section provided with reinforcing members formed with lookinglugs, extending outwardly therefrom, and locking plates provided with apertures and releasable means overlying said'reinforcing members, said apertures to receive said lugs for securing said free edges and said lugs together in substantial abutment along'the'bottom of the spring whereby each section is secured to the spring.

1 ll. A cover for laminated vehicle springs comprising a plurality ofmetallic' sections having longitudinal free edges-adapted to snugly fit the top, sides, and bottom portions of a spring, provided with transversely flexible connections-securing the medial portions of adjacent sections together, having side and bottom portions adjacent said flexible connections overlapping similar ad jacent portions, the longitudinal free edges of each section provided with reinforcing members formed with'a plurality of locking lugs extending outwardly therefrom, and locking plates provided with a plurality of apertures to receive said lugs and releasable means adapted to lock said lugs in said apertures and thus secure said sections to the spring. I c

12. A cover for laminated vehicle springs com prising a plurality'of metallic sections having longitudinal free edges adaptedto snugly fit the top, sides, andbottom portions of a spring, provided with transversely flexible hinge connectionswith depending'locking end members to hinge and lock the medial portions 'of adjacent sections together; each section having sideand bottom portions adjacent said flexible connections overlapping similar adjacent portions, the longitudinal free edges of each section insubstantial abutment and provided with reinforcing members formed with a plurality of rigidlocking lugs extending outwardly therefrom and an individual locking plate for each section, provided with a plurality. of apertures toreceive said rigid lugs and releasable means adapted to lockrespectivelugs in said apertures and thus secure said sections to the therefrom, and locking plates provided with apertures to receive said lugs and releasable means overlying said reinforcing members and adapted toengage the respective locking lugs to lock said sections upon the spring with said longitudinal free edges and locking lugs in substantial abutment.

l4. A cover for laminated vehicle springs comprising a'plurality of metallic sections, having longitudinal free edges adapted to snugly fit the top, sides, and bottom portions-of a' spring, provided with transversely flexible-connections securing the medial portions of adjacent-sections together, having side and bottom portions adjacent said flexible'connections overlappmg similar adjacent portions, the longitudinal free edges of each section provided with reinforcingmembers formed with a plurality of locking lugs punched from the longitudinal free edges thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, and individual locking plates for each section provided with a plurality of apertures and releasable horizontally extending locking means, the apertures of each locking plate receiving the locking lugs of the reinforcing members of-a section, and the horizontally extending means being bent down to hold the locking lugs in the apertures and thus secure the sections individually upon the spring.

15. A removable cover for laminated springs,

the-combination of a plurality of individual relatively movable sections, eachsection provided at its medial end portions with flanges engaging transverse clamping clips having converging side members and downwardly extending end members so that the sections are hingedly connected and locked together, each section further provided with reinforced longitudinal free edges with rigid locking lugs thereon, and locking plates with wedge shaped apertures, and releasable locking means "adapted to receive and. lock said lugs together, whereby each'section is individuallysecured tosaid spring and adapted to be easily removed. 1 V r f 16. The combination, with a laminated spring which has one of its leaves projecting beyond the other leaves of the spring and terminating in a spring eye arranged transversely of said leaf and forming a shackle housing, and a flexible metal spring cover consisting of aplurality of individual sections, adapted to'snugly fit the top, sides and bottomportions of said spring and provided with transversely flexible hinge like connections securing-the medial portions of adjacent sections together, having side and bottom portions adjacent said hinge like connection overlapping similar adjacent portions, the shackle eye end of'said cover provided at its upper side with a transverse, integral folded portionin contact with the upperside of the longest-leaf of said spring, and provided at its under-sidewitlia transverse, integral rolled portion in contact with the underside of said longest leaf, said shackleeye end of said cover forming a. dual oil and dirt seal.

17. A removable cover for laminated springs, the combination of a plurality of individual relatively movable sections, each section provided at its medial end portions with flanges engaging transverse clamping clips having converging side members and downwardly extending end members, so that the sections are hingedly connected and locked together each section further provided with reinforced longitudinal free edges with rigid locking lugs thereon, and locking plates with wedge shaped apertures and releasable locking means adapted to receive and lock said lugs together, whereby each section is individually secured upon the spring, the shackle eye end section of the spring cover provided with means to form a dual oil and dirt seal by having a folded top portionin contact with the upperside of spring .leaf forming the shackle or the spring eye, and said cover provided at its underside, with a transverse rolled portion in contact 10 with the underside of said spring leaf.

' SAMUEL TAYLOR. 

